Man who slaughtered family apologizes, avoids death in Indiana County

Police: Girl playing with Barbies was Lewis Beatty's first victim

UPDATED 7:09 PM EST Dec 07, 2012

INDIANA, Pa. -

Lewis Beatty could have faced the death penalty if a jury found him guilty of killing his 6- and 11-year-old daughters and his estranged wife.

Instead, the 41-year-old Indiana County man pleaded guilty Friday and was sentenced to three life prison terms -- one each for 6-year-old Sara and 11-year-old Amanda, and one for the girls' 33-year-old mother, Christine.

"This should have never happened," said Beatty, his voice quivering as if he was crying. "I'm very remorseful and I'm sorry."

Defense attorney Fred Hummel said Beatty is not a monster, and went for help because he knew his separation from his wife was making him unstable, but he didn't get what he needed.

“He told the medical professionals that he was having homicidal thoughts toward his wife. Fifty six minutes later, after walking in, he was discharged and put back out on the street,” said Hummel.

Hummel said Beatty tried to commit suicide after the murders and is upset that the fire was discovered before he could kill himself.

Later, at a news conference with District Attorney Patrick Dougherty, the mother of Christine Beatty became too upset and had to get up and leave the room with her husband.

“I hope I never know what went through his head. I am at a loss as to how you can do such a thing to your own children,” said Dougherty.

State police said Lewis Beatty used a hunting knife to slit the throats of his girls at home June 1 in South Mahoning Township, then followed their mother home from work and did the same to her in East Mahoning Township, and set both of their homes on fire with the victims inside.

At a court hearing in August, a state police investigator read the following information from the transcript of an interview with the suspect:- The youngest daughter was slain first. She was playing with Barbie dolls and talking with her father when she brought up that her mother was seeing another man. He then choked the girl and slit her throat.- The older daughter came home and asked to see her sister. Beatty grabbed the girl, choked her and cut her throat.- Beatty said he also killed their goat, pony and dog because there would be no one to take care of them any more.

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